How to Apply
Safe For Pets Too (SFPT) provides temporary emergency boarding and care for pets belonging to women seeking refuge from domestic violence. In order to qualify for the Program, you MUST be a client of a Transition House or DV Outreach. You must be leaving abuse with concerns that your pet may be harmed, killed or neglected.
How can I get my pet into SFPT?
You must meet with a transition house or DV outreach worker and complete an Intake Form and Waivers Admission package for each animal(s) that requires fostering. Cats/small animals must be in a carrier.
You should bring the following:
- Animal’s health records
- Animals inoculation records
- Proof of ownership (ex. license, adoption, purchase and/or registration papers, receipts and records for veterinary care, )
- Food, medications
- Special toys, blankets
- Written summary of pet – temperament, fears, likes, dislikes etc. Advise the pet owner that if she has an aggressive pet SFPT cannot accommodate
Can I get my pets get into the service at any time?
SFPT is a “volunteer” service that operates week-days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It may take up to 3 business days before SFPT can arrange to pick up your pet. Try to plan ahead as you will need to complete the forms and make arrangements for transporting your pet to the designated pick up area. You may have to leave your pet in another location for a few days until SFPT can arrange pick up.
What if it is an emergency?
In emergency situations, contact the nearest Municipal Police or RCMP. Police are aware of the SFPT service but are not responsible for doing intake. They will suggest that if you have concerns about a pet go to the nearest transition house or domestic violence outreach office to access SFPT. When they help a woman leave a domestic situation, they may be able to take her pet along as well.
What kinds of pets can be in the program?
The program typically deals with cats and dogs. However, other small caged animals such as birds, hamsters or guinea pigs may be accepted. The program may, as the need arises, be able to find shelter for larger animals that are at risk.
What do I need to bring when I arrive to fill in the forms?
To help with the placement of your animals, bring the following, if possible:
Animal’s health and inoculation records
Proof of ownership
(ex. license, adoption, purchase and/or registration papers, receipts and records for veterinary care, etc.)
Food, medications
Special toys, blankets
Written summary of pet – temperament, fears, likes, dislikes etc.
Note: SFPT cannot accommodate an aggressive pet.
FAQs
In an emergency, when safety is at risk, call 911. Municipal Police or RCMP are aware of the SFPT service but are not responsible for doing intake. They will suggest that you contact the nearest transition house or family violence outreach office to access SFPT for an at-risk pet.
After signing, your form will be sent off to SFPT and this will start the sheltering process. The transition house /outreach agency will keep a confidential copy of the forms in their files too. SFPT will send an animal transportation person to pick up your animal as soon as possible.
When your animal is picked up, it will be taken immediately to a participating veterinarian to be checked for health, injury and temperament. There is no fee for this examination, but if your animal is sick or injured or requires treatment there may be a cost. Arrangements to pay these fees would be made with you before the pet is returned to you.
At that point, SFPT will place your pet in a safe, loving foster care situation for up to 30 days. If the animal is considered vicious SFPT may not be able to place it. For safety reasons, you will not be able to visit with your pet during this time; but if you wish, you can request to get regular updates about the status of your animal.
At the end of the 30 days, the transition house or family violence outreach staff will arrange with SFPT for you to pick up of your animal at a designated location.